Man indicted for allegedly shoving child into feces

LAS CRUCES - A Las Cruces man has been indicted after authorities alleged he pushed a child’s face into feces.

Michael Prendergast, 31, was indicted on two counts of child abuse, both third-degree felonies.

According to court documents, the defendant became angry when his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son defecated on the floor. Another child at the house told investigators he saw the defendant push the child’s face into the feces.

If convicted as charged, Prendergast faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison.